How to Give your Furniture a Shabby Chic Look

Updated on September 29, 2012

how to shabby chic | Source

3 Tips for Making Over any Room

Giving a room the "shabby chic look" is quick and painless. In fact, you probably have pieces that you can already use. This quick guide will give you an idea on how to decide what pieces you will incorporate into your decor.

Shabby Chic Furniture

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baby blue shabby chic mirror with wire and pearls | Source

use pieces unconventionally-- this worn out chair makes a great night stand | Source

Worn-out is IN

Using pieces of distressed furniture in shabby chic décor is a great place to start. You can use a naturally-aged wooden chair or dresser or speed up the antiquing process and make your own. Antique stores and flea markets are great resources for finding the perfect furniture. Many times they have already been refinished or antiqued. If you've never done this before, check out my tutorial on furniture antiquing and refinishing. While worn out furniture is a must-have, make sure your pillows and linens are not. There is nothing shabby chic about stained sheets with holes.

I bought this mirror from Goodwill. I painted it with Clear Blue Sky by Glidden and some blue crackle paint from Michaels. Next I sanded all the corners and edges with coarse sandpaper. I strung faux crafting pearls on wire and twisted around the frame.

Get Inspired:

Worn out corners on tables, dressers, and picture frames

Peeling and crackling paint

Artwork or prints that appear faded

Shabby Chic Accents

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dried lavender in mason jar | Source

Turn shabby into shabby chic with vintage doilies. This one has a lovely floral vibe. | Source

Florals Are Your Friend

Shabby chic really comes to life with the help of delicate flowers and floral designs. Without flowers, the shabby chic look can look dull-- even lifeless. Don't worry about what flowers do or don't compliment other colors or patterns. Shabby chic doesn't have to match-- in fact, the best executed shabby chic décor usually doesn't match. Mix and match it up even if it doesn't feel natural at first. When you're finished, you'll really see everything blend together in a beautiful look.

Shabby Chic Paint

I painted this shelf in "oat" crackle paint by Martha Stewart and "celery sticks" by Glidden.

Pastels Are Your Pals

If you love bright and bold colors, shabby chic might not be a look for you. Shabby chic décor and style thrives on very delicate and feminine pastel colors. Think of an Easter palet left in the sun to fade. One of the reasons that shabby chic works so well and is practically effortless is because pastel colors very naturally compliment each other. Most shabby chic collections will have a reoccuring theme (or motif) of white. White helps this decorating style to appear clean and fresh. You can really have as little or as much white as you'd like-- there's no rule.

Get inspired:

Lemon chiffon wallpaper

Sea green shutters

Pale pink porcelain decorative knobs and handles

Test Your Shabby Chic Knowledge

Heather Says

Investing time and money into a shabby chic décor has many benefits. Not only does it looks fantastic, but you don't have to clean out your bank account just to decorate a room. Pieces are affordable and easy to make on your own. Shabby chic style is also timeless and classic, not a fair-weathered trend-- meaning you won't see it going out of style anytime soon.

DIY Shabby Chic Green Chair

Source

Chair Tutorial

Furniture Antiquing and RefinishingMake an old piece look new or help a new piece look aged. Easy to follow guide with tips on how to transform any piece of furniture into a work of art. Includes pictures for inspiration.

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Cosmic Bus-- thanks for reading and commenting. Target always has beautiful items! I love checking out their dollar sections and you're right, their bedding is gorgeous. I feel like I need a second and third job just to keep up with my Target shopping addiction. Kindred spirits indeed!

Carol7777-- thanks for stopping by and sharing. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm always happy to see your feedback :)

Cosmic Bus 4 years ago from Maryland

I love Shabby Chic! Target has beautiful bedding that I never seem to have the money for! Lol. Great job Heather, I truly believe you and I may be kindred spirits :)

carol7777 4 years ago from Arizona

Love this look particularly after looking at many boring home decors. You did a great job on this hub. Lots of interesting thoughts. VOte Up and share.